Praeger Handbook of Play across the Life Cycle: Fun from Infancy to Old Age

by Luciano L'Abate

Overview

This volume shows how we play at various ages and stages, and why play is so vital to our wellbeing.

Most American adults have little respect for play, for themselves or, increasingly, for their children. Are we losing anything with this attitude? Yes, says longtime clinical psychologist Luciano L'Abate. In a book that has a message for us all, L'Abate presents research showing that play, as one scholar put it, "is not a luxury, but rather a crucial dynamic of healthy physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development at all age levels."

The Praeger Handbook of Play across the Life Cycle: Fun from Infancy to Old Age, shows how play and playful activities have developed and changed across recent history, and how their necessity has been the subject of changing cultural and educational views and controversies. The book overviews the history of play, summarizes current research and theory, shows how we play at various ages and stages, and explains why that helps us develop into healthy people—physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313359293
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/30/2009
Pages:	335
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Luciano L'Abate is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, co-founder and past president of the International Academy of Family Psychology, and professor emeritus at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Arthur M. Horne
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I. Definitions and a Bird's Eye View of Play
1 Come, Let's Play
2 Play across History and into Cyberspace
3 What the Experts Say about Play
4 What Cultures Have to Do with Play
5 What Parents and Adults Have to Do with Play and Gender
6 Chronological Age Is Not the Same as Development in Play
Part II: Chronological Stages of Play
7 Infancy
8 Nursery, Preschool, and Kindergarten
9 Elementary School
10 Middle School and Puberty
11 High School and Adolescence
12 College and Early Adulthood
13 Adulthood, Middle Age, and Old Age
Part III: The Usefulness of Play
14 Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, and Relational Benefits
15 In Their Best Interest: Play Therapy for Children
16 Play as Rehabilitation
Part IV: Controversies about Play
17 The Technology of Play Time and of Media Time
18 What Teachers and Coaches Think about Play
Part V. Conclusion
19 A Hierarchical Theory of Play Competence
References
Appendix A Resourcesz
Appendix B Monitored Play Therapy
Appendix C An Experimental Theory-Derived Structured Play Interview
Index
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

L'Abate (emer., Georgia State Univ.) has written a valuable reference detailing the central role that play, in its many forms, has in the epigenetic life cycle, from infancy all the way to old age. In doing so, he fills in an epistemological gap usually not acknowledged in personality theory. He covers in detail every aspect of play: its varied manifestations across the life span, its relevance to personality and social development, prevailing cultural attitudes towards it, and how it is instrumental in aiding various populations (e.g., individuals with disabilities, aggressive youth). All the various strands come together in a multifaceted hierarchical paradigm that presents an integrative conceptual structure highlighting the elements of play. The references cited are extensive and the narrative is easy to follow, sprinkled with personal anecdotes and vignettes about L'Abate's grandchildren. Linking theory to therapeutic intervention, this is a superb reference for all concerned with play development. Summing Up: Essential. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, professionals, general readers.” —Choice

“For psychologists, psychiatrists, other mental health practitioners, play therapists, leisure time and recreation specialists, and scholars of development and personality, L'Abate (clinical psychology, Georgia State U., Atlanta) examines the history of play, details how it affects people from infancy to old age, and argues for its importance to physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He illustrates how people play at different stages of the life cycle and how it is part of development and socialization, as well as the consequences of its changes today. He also discusses its benefits and applications in therapy and rehabilitation and controversies over play, including technology, the media, and education.
He excludes discussion of animal play, advocacy and theory, and neurological and cerebral functioning.” —Reference & Research Book News

“Toward this end, the author frequently interjects anecdotes from his own life and the lives of his family and friends. These stories serve as miniature case studies that illustrate relevant theoretical and empirical points in a manner that makes his book all the more enjoyable. . . . This handbook is best read from beginning to end but also is the type of book one may read in parts, as a reference or as guided by one's interests. . . the volume would make an excellent starting point for a graduate student beginning a research program in play. Of course, the handbook would also serve as a superb tool for the seasoned psychologist or psychotherapist to update his or her knowledge of a field that has evolved considerably in recent years as lifestyle and technology changes, including the invention of the popular Nintendo Wii, have altered the way many play. The addition of several helpful appendices makes the volume all the more attractive for such purposes. For instance, Appendix A offers an annotated bibliography of some significant sources, including books, jourbanal titles, professional organizations, and websites. University libraries will want to own this book, as will many public libraries as well.” —PsycCRITIQUES

“The inclusion of the topic of adult play solidifies its must-read status for scholars interested in understanding diverse expressions and functions of play….It is clearly written and can serve as a necessary textbook for graduate-level courses that focus on the study of play and leisure across the lifespan. The Praeger Handbook of Play across the Life Cycle is an engaging, extensive overview of play from different perspectives, emphasizing play as a valuable activity for individuals of all ages.” —American Jourbanal of Play

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